Still, they are a subtle indication of how a team stacks up against the best in the conference. At this point last year, for instance, safety Nat Berhe and quarterback Ryan Katz had each been tabbed a conference player-of-the-week, and the Aztecs were just embarking on their seven-game winning streak.

Until Monday, the Aztecs had been completely shut out of the Mountain West's weekly honors this season -- which is a little sad for the defending conference champs, don't you think?

The Aztecs walk-on punter was named the Mountain West's special teams player of the week for his outstanding punting in the Aztecs' 51-44 OT win over Nevada.

Alesi, a junior, punted four times for 201 yards, averaging a career-high 50.25 yards per punt.

Three of his four punts went for more than 50 yards, with two dropping behind the 20 yard line.

But the punt of the night was undoubtedly the 54-yard end-of-regulation beauty that pinned Nevada to its own 1-yard line with 23 seconds remaining. Muff that punt and give the Wolf Pack a short field, and a field goal could ostensibly have won it for Nevada.

New Mexico DE Brett Bowers was named defensive player of the week for his four tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble the in Lobos' dominating 66-17 win over New Mexico State.

Davante Adams, Fresno State's wunderkind sophomore receiver, was the offensive player of the week after hauling in 16 receptions for 185 yards and a career-high 3 TDs in the Bulldogs' 61-14 win over Idaho.